Combined electrical refrigerator and air-cooling unit



Jan. 3', 1950 o. J. ALVAREZ 2,493,373

COMBINED ELECTRICAL REFRIGERATOR AND AIR COOLING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 9, 1947 0 ON QM E M W@ M F v 0 m/ n A W K .wN lmfi I E M s M R H W E F P i N Jan. 3, 1950 o. J. ALVAREZ 2,493,378

COMBINED ELECTRICAL REFRIGERATOR AND AIR COOLING UNIT Filed June 9, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EXPANSION CHA MEER E VAPOMTD R C QMPRESJOR tamed Jan.'3,1950

uNiTso r 2,493,378 conmnvan apao'rmcannermemroa AND AIR-COOLING UNIT Octavlo Jole Alvarez, New York, N. Y., assignor Alvarez Patent Corporation, New York, N. Y.

Application June a, 1947, Serial No; 753,420

13 Claims. (01. 02-0 My present invention relates to combined electrical refrigerator and air coolingunits.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a unit of the above type in which only the excess coolingcapacity of a refrigerator is used for operating a portable air cooling device.

It is another object of my present invention to combine a refrigerator with a portable air cooling device in a very simple and efficient manner.

Furthermore, it is an object of my present invention to attach a portable air cooler to'a refrigerator and to operate it by the same without the necessity of any considerable changes in the construction of the refrigerator.- 7

It is also an object of my. present invention to arrange in a combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit means ensuring that the temperature within the refrigerator is held at the desired level despite attachment of the air cooling unit. I I

Finally, it is also an object of my invention to provide means automatically preventing flow of refrigerant fluid to the air coolingunit when such refrigerant fluid is needed'for keeping the electrical refrigerator at the proper temperature.

With the above objects in view, my present invention mainly consists of a combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing, a refrigerator'compartment within this housing, a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within this refrigerator compartment, a portable air cooling coil,

an at least partly flexible conduit connecting this portable air cooling coil with the above menfluid circulating through this air cooling coil, e. g. by closing'or opening this second valve.

In order to prevent during operation of the air cooling 'coil a temperature drop within the refrigerator compartment below a predetermined temperature, I provide two operating means,

namely first operating means for automatically moving the flrst valve towards or into open position when the temperature within the refrigerator compartment rises above a predetermined temperature and towards or into closed position -when the temperature within the refrigerator compartment drops below this predetermined temperature, and second operating means for automatically moving the second valve means towards or into open position when the temperature within the refrigerator compartment drops below the above mentioned predetermined temperature and towards or into closed position when the temperature within the refrigerator compartment rises above this predetermined temperature.

In order to hold the temperature within the refrigerator compartment at the proper level, I

have found it advisable to provide manually optioned stationary refrigerator cooling coil, r'e- I frigerant fluid filling the above listed stationary refrigerator cooling coil, the at least partly flexible conduit and the portable air cooling coil,

pumping means adapted to circulate this refrigerant fluid through the stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of the at least partly flexible conduit through the portable air cooling coil, and motor means for operating these pumping means, whenever desired.

In order to enable proper operation of a unit of the above type, I propose to combine with the same a first valve included in the stationary refrigerator cooling coil for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through this coil, e. g'. by opening or closing this valve; furthermore, it is also advisable to provide a second valve included in the conduit leading from the stationary refrigerator cooling coil to the portable air cooling'coii for adjusting the amountpf refrigerant erable means for adjusting operation of both of the above described operating means so as to vary the predetermined temperature at which they operate and move the valves as described above.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of my present invention, the above described operating arrangement includes means permanently tending to hold the first valve in open and the second valve in closed position, operating means adapted to move the first valve from open into closed and the second valve from closed into open position, and actuating means for automatically actuating these operating means when the temperature within the refrigerator compartment drops below the predetermined temperature.

Furthermore, in this embodiment of my present invention, I provide a manually operable valve in the flexible conduit for opemng and closing the same and combine with this valve preferably electrical connecting means operated by this valve so as to connect the actuating 'means with the operating means only when the valve is in open position.

Finally, in order to obtain proper circulation of the cooling fluid by the above described pumping means and the motor operating the same, I ar-.- range first operating means being independent from the manually operable valve described above and adapted to automatically connect the electric motor with a source of electric current when the temperature within the refrigerator compartment rises above the predetermined temperature and to automatically disconnect the electric motor from this source of electric current when the temperature within the refrigerator compartment drops below the predetermined temperature; furthermore, I provide also second motor operating means adapted to automatically close a separate circuit connecting the electric motor with the source of electric current while the temperature within the. refrigerator compartment is below the predetermined temperature and the manually operable valve is in open position and to automatically open this circuit when the' temperature within the refrigerator compartment rises above the predetermined temperature or the manually operated valve is closed.

The novel features which I consider as characteristic for my invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompa ying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a partly sectional, partly perspective view of a combined refrigerator and air cooling unit of the type proposed by me; and

Fig. 2 is a partly sectional, partly perspective view of a modified embodiment of the combined refrigerator and air cooling unit shown in Fig. l. The unit shown in Fig. 1 includes a refrigerator ll of conventional design provided with a refrigerator compartment II, a motor I2, a pump II, and a refrigerator cooling coil l4 connected with pump It and serving for cooling the refrigerator compartment II. The pump I3 is operated by the motor l2 and adapted to circulate the cooling fluid through the refrigerator cooling coll l4 and tube in the direction of arrow ll. Thermostat i1 is equipped with a thermostatic switch not shown in the drawing which is adapted 45 to connect the terminals of the electric conductors l8 and It if the temperature within the refrigerator compartment I rises above a certain predetermined temperature and to disconnect these terminals if the actual temperature within 50 the compartment drops below this predetermined temperature.

Conductors l| and are included in the electric circuit 2| connecting the electric motor l2 with the source of electric current 2| so that when 55 the thermostat switch is closed the electric motor |2 operates and when the thermostat switch is open the motor I2 is at a standstill.

The thermostat i1 is provided in the usual manner with an adjusting knob 2| by which it go is possible to adjust the predetermined temperature at which the thermostat switch should close or open the circuit 20. This knob 2| is connected with the other parts of the thermostat 11 in such a manner that it is possible to raise the predee5 termined temperature by turning the knob in clockwise direction and to lower this temperature by. turning the knob in counterclockwise direction.

In accordance with my present invention, I

provide a portable cooling device 22 comprising an electrically operated fan 23 and a portable air cooling coil 24. This air cooling coil 24 is connected, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, by a flexible 4 l4. Actually, the flexible double tube 2! consists of the two flexible tubes 2| and 21 enclosed within the flexible woven fabric hose 2|.

The flexible tube 2| is directly connected by means of the stationary tube 2| with the cooling coil l4, while the flexible tube 21 is connected by means of a highly flexible tube portion 3| with a combined valve 3 I.

This combined valve 3| comprises a common tubular valve housing 32 rigidly connected with the thermostat knob 2| so as to be adapted to be turned by the same to and fro in the direction of arrow 33.

This common tubular valve housing 32 is provided with one inlet opening 34 by which the refrigerant fluid passing through the tube flows into the space within this housing completely fllling the same. Furthermore, housing 32 is provided with two valve openings 35 and 8|. Valve opening 35 is connected with the refrigerator cooling coil I4, while valve opening 3| is connected with the flexible tube 21 by means of the highly flexible tube portion 3|.

Within housing 32, a turnable valve member 31 is arranged. This turnable valve member I1 is connected by shaft 38 with the heat sensitive element of the thermostat ll in such a manner that it is turned by the same in clockwise direction when the temperature within the refrigerator compartment I| rises above the predetermined temperature obtained by adjustment of knob 2| and in counterclockwise direction when the temperature within the refrigerator compartment ii I drops below this predetermined temperature.

It is evident that when shaft 3| and valve member 31 carried by the same are turned in clockwise direction, the valve member will gradually open the valve opening 3| and at the same timegradually close the valve opening 3| and that when shaft 3| and valve member I! are turned in the opposite direction, the valve opening 3| will be gradually opened while the valve opening 35 will be at the same time gradually closed.

In addition to the above described valve arrangement. I provide a manually operable valve 42 composed of the two valve members 4| and 4| adapted to close and open the conduits 21 and 2|, respectively. Handle 3| serves for turning this valve 42 to and fro between closed and open position, whenever required.

The shaft 43, carrying the two valve members 4| and 4| and the handle 3|, is equipped at its lower end with the switch 44 adapted to connect the conductors 4i and 4| when valve 42 is in open position and to disconnect these conductors when the valve is in closed position.

The conductors 45 and 4| are included into the circuit 20 and are arranged parallel to the conductors l| and so that it is possible by closing the switch 44 to operatethe motor l2 while the thermostat switch within thermostat I! is in open position.

My above described refrigerator-air cooling unit operates as follows: 4

If it is not desired to use the cooling unit 22, the manually operated valve 42 is in closed position preventing flow of the refrigerant fluid through the tubes 2| and 21. In this position of valve 42 the switch 44 is open.

It is evident that under such circumstances operation of the unit depends entirely upon the temperature within the refrigerator compartment double tube 25 with the refrigerator cooling coil In order to obtain proper operation, the desired predetermined temperature within the compartment H is adjusted by turning of knob 2|. Turning of this knob not only results in adjustment of the contact members of the thermostat switch in conventional manner, but causes also turning of the valve housing 32. Such turning is made possible by the fact that not only tube 21' is provided with a highly flexible tube D01- tion to but that also tube l6 and the tube forming the refrigerator cooling coil l4 are provided with highly flexible end portions 41 and 46, respectiveb.

It should be stressed that shaft 68 is connected with the heat sensitive thermostat member within the thermostat II and operated by the same in such a manner that when a certain predetermined temperature prevails in the refrigerator compartment II, the valve member 21 is in its central position positioned between the two valve openings 85 and 36 shown in Fig. 1. The moment the temperature within the refrigerator compartment. drops below this predetermined temperature, the heat sensitive thermostat member will turn shaft 34 in counterclockwise direction and partly or entirely close the valve opening 35. similarly, the moment the temperature within the refrigerator compartment ll rises above the predetermined temperature, shaft 56 will be-turned in clockwise direction, partly or entirely opening the valve opening 25 and partly .L 6 I counterclockwise turning of shaft 29 relative to the housing II which, in turn, will cause closing of the valve opening by valve member 21,

-preventing further flow of refrigerant fluid or entirely closing at the same time the valve t opening 34.

mm above follows that proper operation, ire. obtainment of the predetermined temperature within the refrigerator compartment II is independent from and not influenced by operation of the cooling device 22:

If the valve 42 is closed, operation of theme-- stat and the temperature of the refrigerant fluid will depend exclusively upon the temperature within the refrigerator compartment II.

If valve 42 is in open position and the temperature within the refrigerator compartment II is above the predetermined temperature, the

valve member 31 will close the valve opening 26 and prevent refrigerant from being diverted to the cooling coil 24. Howevenif and when the temperature within the refrigerator compartment drops below the predetermined temperature, the

' valve member 31 will automatically open the valve opening 36 and permit circulation of refrigerant fluid through the refrigerator cooling coil I 4.

Thus, it is evident that if valve 42 is closed, the refrigerator operates in the same way as any conventional refrigerator of usual type. a

In order to operate the cooling device 22, it is only necessary to turn valve 42 into open position. Such turning will have one of the two following effects: If the temperature within compartment II is above the predetermined temperature, the valve opening 26 will stay closed and the cooling device 22 will not operate. If the temperature within compartment. is at or bethrough the refrigerator cooling coil l4.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings, I have shown another embodiinent of my combined refrigeratorair cooling unit which differs from the unit shown in Fig.- 1 mainly .in the valve means and the electrical arrangement for operating the same. Also in this flgure, the refrigerator housing is designated with the reference numeral II, the refrigerator compartment with H, the electric motor with l2, the circulating pump with IS, the refrigerator cooling coil with l4, the direction 'of flow of refrigerant through this coil with l6,-the source of electric current with 2i, the air cooling device with 22, the air cooling fan with 22, the air cooling coil with 24, the flexible double tube with 25, the single tubes with 26 and 21, the heat insulating hose of this tube with 26, and the manually operated valve with 42.

In a' unit of this type, I use a thermostatic arrangement 56 which turns shaft 5| in clockwise direction if the temperature within the refrig erator compartment II is rising'and in counterclockwise direction if the temperature in this.

compartment is decreasing.

This shaft 5| is provided with a contact member 52 adapted to slide along the contact strips 53 and 54 mounted on the turnable adjusting member 55. This turnable adjusting member 55 is independent of shaft 5| but can be turned coaxially with the same in clockwise direction if it is desired to have a higher predetermined temperature, and in counterclockwise direction if it' is desired to havea lower predetermined temperature.

Furthermore, I provide in this embodiment of my new unit a combined valve 56 adapted to be turned about pivot 51 from its position shown low the predetermined temperature, the valve in Fig. 2 closing the cooling coil l4 and admitting refrigerant fluid only into tube 2'6, into a position closing tube 26 and admitting refrigerant fluid only into cooling coil l4.

The spring 55 is combined with the valve 56 so as to tend to hold this valve 56 in a position closing tube 26 and admitting fluid only into coil l4. Furthermore, valve 56 is also combined with the solenoid 59 tending to turn the valve, when energized, from its above described position into the position shown in Fig. 2.

The solenoid 55 is included into a circuit connecting the motor II with the source of electric current 2|. This circuit includes also, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the switch 44, shaft 5|, the contact member 52, and contact strip 56.

As also clearly shown in the drawings, solenoid '56 and switch 44 can be by-passed by means of the contact strip 54 and contact member 52.

In this connection, it should be stressed that thetwo contact strips 53 and 54 are arranged so that the contact member 52 is located substantially between them if the temperature, in compartment II is identical with. the predetermined temperature set by the turnable adjusting member 55.

This refrigerator-cooler unit operates as follows:

If valve 42 is in closed position, the switch 44 is open, and, accordingly, solenoid 56 is deenergized. Consequently, spring 56 will turn the valve member 56 so that tube 26 is closed and bases 7 l.

7 I the refrigerant fluid is admitted only to the cooling coil l4. v

In this position, the thermostat ll will oper- I ate in the conventional manner: If the temperature in compartment ii risesabove the predetermined temperature, the shaft II and contact member 82 will turn in clockwise direction and contact the contact strip 84, closing the motor circuit and causing rotation of the motor it. This, in turn, will result in circulation of refrigerant fluid through the cooling coil l4 and reduction of the temperature in compartment i-l, causing turning ofshaft ti and contact member I! in counterclockwise direction out of contact with the contact strip I4. This, of course. will in turn cause the motor I! to'stop until the temperature in the compartment Ii again rises above the predetermined one. g

If valve 42 is in open position admitting refrigerant fluid to the air cooling coil 24, there are two possibilities: 4

If the temperature within compartment ii is andrsnseOHq in enoeofthefollowingciaims.

below the predetermined-temperature, the contact member 52 will be out of contact with contact strip 54 and in contact with contact strip II. This, in turn, will result in rotation of motor l2 and energization of solenoid ts. Energization of solenoid 59, in turn, will cause turning of the valve member 58 into the position shown in Fig. 2, closing the cooling coil I 4 and admitting refrigerant fluid only into tube 26. Thus, in this position, refrigerant fluid will flow through the air cooling coil 24. This flow will be maintained either until valve 42 is closed or until the temperature within compartment ii rises above the predetenuined temperature.

If the temperature within compartment I l rises above the predetermined temperature, the contact member 52 will be turned by thermostat It out of contact with contact strip 53, resulting in deenergization of solenoid as which, in turn, causes turning of valve ll, closing the tube 26 and admitting refrigerant fluid to the refrigerator cooling coil i4. Simultaneously, the contact member 52 will contact the contact strip 54, resulting in rotation of motor I! and circulation of refrigerant fluid through the coil l4.

This situation will be maintained until the temperature in the compartment ii is sufllciently decreased by circulation of the refrigerant fluid through coil l4. At that moment, contact member 52 will move in clockwise direction shutting off coil I 4 and connecting the cooling coil 24 as described above in detail.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of cooling devices, differing from the types described above.

While I have illustrated and described the invention as embodied in combined refrigerator and cooling units, I do not intend to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of my invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of my invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fair- 1y constitute essential characteristics of the generic or speciflc aspects of this invention, and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning whatlclaim'asnowanddesiretosecureby Letters Patent is: Y

1. Combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coilpan at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrlserator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid fllling said stationary refrigerator cooling coil, said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of said at least partly flexible conduit through said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; flrst valve means included in said stationary refrigerator cooling coil for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; second valve means included in said at least partly flexible conduit for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulat'ing through said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; and operating means for automatically moving said first valve means towards open position when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above a predetermined temperature and towards closed position when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below said predetermined temperature and for automatically moving said second valve means towards open position when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below said predetermined temperature and towards closed position when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above said predetermined temperature.

2. Combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid fllling said stationary refrigerator cooling coil, said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of said at least partly flexible conduit through said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; flrst valve means included in saidstationary refrigerator cooling coil for closing and opening the same; second valve means included in said at least partly flexible conduit for closing and opening the same; and operating means for automatically moving said first valve means into open position when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above a predetermined temperature and into closed position when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below said predetermined temperature and for automatically moving said second valve means into open position when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below said predetermined temperature and into closed position when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above said predetermined temperatures;

3. Combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a re-'- frigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid fllling said stationary refrigerator cooling coil, said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary refrigeratorcooling coil and also by meanspf said at least partly flexible conduit through said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; first valve means included. in said stationary refrigerator cooling coil for adiustingthe amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; second valve means included insaid at least partly flexible conduit for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; and operating means for automatically moving said first valve means towards open position when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above a predetermined temperature and towards closed position when the temtermined temperature at which they operate and move said flrst and said second valve means.

4. Combined electrical refrigerator. and air cooling' unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary 1o. temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below; said predetermined temperature. and into closed position when thetemperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above said predetermined temperature; and manually operable means for adjusting the operation of said operating means so as to vary" said predetermined temperature at which they operate and move said flrst and said second valve means.

5. Combined electrical-refrigerator and .air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator'housing; a stationary re- 1s frige'rator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid fllling said go stationary refrigerator cooling coil. said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of said at as least partly flexible conduit through said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; flrst valve means included in said stationary. refrigerator cooling coil for adjusting the amount of refrigerso ant fluid circulating through said stationary re- ;frigerator cooling coil; second valve means included in said at least partly flexible conduit for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said at least partly flexible conss duit and said portable aircooling coil; means tending to holdsaid flrst valve means in open position and said second valve means in closed position; operating means for moving said first valve means from open into closed position and 40 saidsecond valve means. from closed into open position; and actuating means for automatically actuating said operating means when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment 'drops below a predetermined temperature. 6.. Combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within said refrigeratorrefrigerator cooling coil within said refrigerator p t 8- Domble cooling at compartment; 2. portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid filling said least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid filling said stationary refrigerator -cooling coil, said at least stationary refrigerator cooling coil, said at least 65 P y flexible ond a d d P tabl a coolpartly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said'stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of said ing coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of-said at least partly flexible conduit through said portat least partly flexible conduit through said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating able air coolingcoil;- motor mean for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; first valve means included in said stationary refrigerator cooling coil for closing and opening the same; second valve means included in said at refrigerator cooling coil; second valve means included in said at least partly flexible conduit for least partly flexible conduit for closing and opens ing the same; and operating means for automatically moving said first valve means into open position when the temperature within said readjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; means frigerator compartment rises above a predeter- 7 0 tending to hold said first valve means in .open

mined temperature and into closed position when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment, drops below said predetermined temperature and for automatically moving said secposition and said second valve means in closed position; operating means for moving said flrst valve means from open into closed position and said second valve means from closed. into open and valve means into open position when the 76 position; actuating means for automatically actuating said operating means when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below a predetermined temperature; and manually operable operating means for adjusting operation of said actuating means so vas to vary said predetermined temperature at which said actuating means actuate said operating means.

'1. Combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; first valve means included in said stationary refrigerator cooling coil for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; second valve means included in said at least partly flexible conduit for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; means tending to hold said first valve means in open position and said second valve means in closed position; operating means for moving said first valve means from open into closed position and said second valve means from closed into open position; actuating means for automatically actuating said operating means when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below a predetermined temperature; a manually operable valve in said at least partly flexible conduit for opening and closing the same; and connecting means operated by said manually operable valve so as to connect said actuating means with said operating means when said manually operable valve isin open position.

8. Combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air' cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid filling said stationary refrigerator cooling coil, said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of said at least partly flexible conduit through said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; flrst valve means included in said stationary refrigerator cooling coil for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid "circulating through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; second valve means included in said at least partly flexible conduit for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; means tending to hold said first valve means in open position and said second valve means in closed position; operating means for moving said first valve means from open into closed position and said second valve means from closed into open position; actuating means for automatically actuating said operating means when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below a predetermined temperature; a manually operable valve in said at least partly flexible conduit for opening and closing the same; connecting means operated by said manually operable valve 50 as to connect said actuating means with said operating means when said manually operable valve is in open position; and manually operable operating means for adjusting operation of said actuating means so as to vary said predetermined temperature at which said actuating means actuate said operating means.

9. Combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid filling said stationary refrigerator cooling coil, said at least partly flexibl conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of said at least partly flexible conduit through said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; first valve means included in said stationary refrigerator cooling coil for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; second valve means included in said at least partly flexible conduit for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; means tending to hold said first valve means in open position and said second valve means in closed position; electrical operating means for moving said first valve means from open into closed position and said second valve means from closed into open position; electrical actuating means for automatically actuating said electrical operating means when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below a predetermined temperature; a manually operable valve in said at least partly flexible conduit for opening and closing the same; and electrical switch means operated by said manually operable valve so as to electrically connect said electrical actuating means with said electrical operating means when said manually operable valve is in open position.

10. Combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid filling said stationary refrigerator cooling coil, said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of said at least partly flexible conduit through said To portable air cooling coil; motor means for operl3 ating said pumping means, whenever desired; first valve means included in said stationary-refrigerator cooling coil for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; second valve means included in said at least partly flexible conduit for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; means tending to hold said first valve means in open position and said second valve means in closed position; electrical operating means for moving said flrst valve means from open into closed position and said second valve means from closed into open position; electrical actuating means for automatically actuating said electrical operating means when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below a pree ermin emp r r a manually operable valve in said at least partly flexible conduit for opening and closing the same; electrical switchv erator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid filling said stationary refrigerator cooling coil, said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of said at least partly flexible conduit through said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; flrst valve means included in said stationary refrigerator cooling coil for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; second valve means included in said at least partly flexible conduit'for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; means tending to hold said flrst valve means in open position and said second valve means in closed position;

electrical operating means for moving said first when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below a predetermined temperature; a manually operable valve in said at least partly flexible conduit for opening and closing the same; electrical switch means operated by said manually operable valve so as to electrically connect said electrical actuating means with said electrical operating means when said manually operable valve is in open position; first motor connecting means adapted to automatically connect said electric motor with a source of electric current when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above said predeterasoasva l4 mined temperature and to automatically disconnect said electric motor from said source of electrio-current when the temperature within'said refrigerator compartment drops below said pre- 5 determined temperature; and second motor connecting means adapted to automatically connect said electric motor with said source of electric current while the temperature within said re frigerator compartment is below said predeterl0 mined temperature and said manually operable valve is in opened position and to automatically disconnect said electric motor from said source of electric current when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above said predetermined temperature or said manually op- .erable valve is closed.-

12. Combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid fllling said stationary refrigerator cooling coil, said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary rem frigerator cooling coil and also by means of said at least partly flexible conduit through said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; first valve means included in said stationary refrigerator cooling coil for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; second valve means included in said at least partly flexible conduit for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; means tending to hold said first valve means in open position and said second valve means in closed position; electrical operating means for moving said first valve means from open into closed position and said second valve means from closed into open position; electrical actuating means for automatically actuating said electrical operating means when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below a predetermined temperature; a manually operable valve in said at least partly flexible conduit for opening and closing the same; electrical switch means operated by said manually operable valve so as to electrically connect said electrical actuating means with said electrical operating means when said manually operable valve is in open position; manually operable means for adjusting the operation of said electrical actuating means so as 00 to vary said predetermined temperature at which said electrical actuating means actuate said connecting means; first motor operating means adapted to automatically connect said electric motor with a source of electric current when the I6 temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above said predetermined temperature and to automatically disconnect said electric motor from said source of electric current when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below said predetermined temperature; and second motor connecting means adapted to automatically connect said electric motor with said source of electric current while the temperature within said refrigerator compartment is below said predetermined temperatureandsaidmanuallyoperablevalveisinopened position and to automatically disconnect said electric motor from said source of electric current when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above said predetermined temperature or said manually operable valve is closed.

13. Combined electrical refrigerator and air cooling unit comprising in combination a refrigerator housing; a refrigerator compartment within said refrigerator housing; a stationary refrigerator cooling coil within said refrigerator compartment; a portable air cooling coil; an at least partly flexible conduit connecting said portable air cooling coil with said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; a refrigerant fluid fllling said stationary refrigerator cooling coil, said at least partly flexible conduit and said portable air cooling coil; pumping means adapted to circulate said refrigerant fluid through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil and also by means of said at least partly flexible conduit through said portable air cooling coil; motor means for operating said pumping means, whenever desired; first valve means included in said stationary refrigerator cooling coil for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said stationary refrigerator cooling coil; second valve means in-' cluded in said at least partly flexible conduit for adjusting the amount of refrigerant fluid circulating through said at least partly flexible conduit 18 at least partl flexible conduit for opening and 1 closing the same; electric switch means operated said manually operable'valve so as to. electrically connect said electrical actuating means with said electrical operating means when said manually operable valve is in open position; manu'ally Operable means foradiusting the operation of said electrical actuating means so as to vary said predetermined temperature at which said electrical actuating means actuate said connecting means; flrst electric motor operating means adapted to automatically connect said electric motor with a source of electric current when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above said predetermined temperature and to automatically disconnect said electric motor from said source of electric current when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below said predetermined temperature; and second electric motor connecting means adapted to-automatically connect said electric motor with said source of electric current while the temperature within said refrigerator compartment is below said predetermined and said portable air cooling coil; means tending to hold said first valve means in open position and said second valve means in closed position; electrical operating means for moving said flrst valve means from open into closed position and said second valve means from closed into open position; electrical actuating means for automatically actuating said electrical operating means when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment drops below a predetermined temperature; a manually operable valve in said temperature and said manually operable valve is in opened position and to automatically disconnect said electric motor from said source of electric current when the temperature within said refrigerator compartment rises above said predetermined temperature or said manually operable valve is closed.

OCTAVIO JOSE ALVAREZ.

' ass-mamas cum The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Sherman July 19, 1988 Brush Aug. 13, 1940 Number 

